Reptile & Amphibian Forums

I'm looking for some adivse on my overweight turtle. I have a western painted turtle that was living a fine life...untill...we got a pleco. A neighbor gave us a pleco that is about 10 inches. In feeding the pleco, our turtle is over-eating. We started giving the pleco algea chips, the turtle loves them. So we stared feeding the pleco veggies, well the turtle loves them as well. There is not enough algea in the tank to sustain such a large pleco without supplementing his diet. Does anyone have some options to offer? Our pleco is getting skinny and our turtle is getting obese.

I'd find a new home for the Pleco., and purchase some rosie reds. They are great scavengers and will even eat algae. If your turtle decides to eat some of them, which it probably will, then you're providing another great food source for your herp. Some will probably prove too wiley to be caught and will survive in your tank for years, cleaning up turtle messes. Note - I'm sure you know this, but don't let your turtle eat rosie reds too often.

How come you shouldn't feed rosy reds too often? I've raised up many musk turtles from hatchlings to adults on a diet of rosy reds, golden shiners, reptomin and some worms.

Rick

Sorry, I just noticed this post. I only warned of feeding rosy reds too often because many people get into the habit of feeding their aquatic turtles feeder fish and don't offer enough variety. It is so convenient to stop at the local pet store and pick up a bunch of fish for fairly cheap, drop them in the tank, and know that the turtle will have some food for the next few days.

I studied some problems that can occur from feeding any herp, or other animal for that matter, too much fish. It's been a fairly long time, but I faintly remember two key elements that play a role...vitamin B and taurine(tuarine?). Vitamin B deficiencies can develop, and too much taurine can actually cause an animal to have hyperactive digestion. When I worked at a nature museum, an egret that we had would only eat fish. We used to place Vitamin B and D tablets inside the fish for supplementation. It would have been better to vary the diet, but the bird had been seriously injured by a boater and was seriously brain damaged. NOTE - I DO NOT recommend placing vitamin D and B supplements in fish destined for herps. This was a veterinary prescribed practice for this bird only! Use supplements specifically designed for the herp of choice.

Your success is no doubt due to the fact that you offered a variety of food, along with other good husbandry practices. This is always the best course of action. Plus, it's fun to watch them explore new food items.